Jul 2, 2019
This week I’ve got Pete Mattila from Tasmania, which is off the
southern coast of Australia. We talk about his shop by the water’s
edge, his US apprentice journey, and his design process.
Before we get to the interview I wanted to mention today’s
sponsors,
First we have the Adirondack Folk School. It’s a
non-profit school located in Lake Luzerne, in upstate New
York. The blacksmithing program at the Folk School includes
24 classes with an incredible line of blacksmithing instructors
this year. To see the complete list of classes or to register,
visit their website: www.adirondackfolkschool.org.
I’d also like to thank the New England Blacksmiths, the ABANA
affiliate serving Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New
Hampshire, Maine and Rhode Island. Who by the way will be driving
the ABANA 2020 Conference in Saratoga, NY
Check us out at http://www.newenglandblacksmiths.org/
Also They will be offering the Age of Iron weekend event at the
Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, It’s happening
the 1st weekend in August, 3rd and 4th.
Those interested in further details can contact Cindy Dickinson
at cdickinson@hancockshakervillage.org
or DM @HayBudden on Twitter or Instagram. If you mention I’m here
for the blacksmithing you’ll get an extra $5 off at the door!
Thanks NEB!
OK, let’s dive right into this interview with Pete.
What We Talked About
- Pete first went to a technical college for welding, then he got
a job as an apprentice was with an industrial blacksmith at the
Ipswitch railyards in Queensland, Australia. There he forged a lot
of industrial tools for mines, alloy steel forging.
- Pete decided to go to art school and received his Bachelor of
Fine art. He then received a scholarship for his master’s in fine
art.
- Pete talks about his apprentice journey through the United
States, which included working with Albert Paley, Mountain Forge
and included a research residency at the Metal Museum.
- We talk about his design process which he includes 3 basic
things: additive process, subtractive process and material
displacement.
- When Pete works with clients for commissioned pieces, one of
the things he asks for is 3 words from the client that encapsulates
what they envision.
- About 80% of the time Pete sandblasts his sculptures first and
then adds a chemical called Black Fast. Also follows up with
beeswax.
- One of Pete’s goals this year is to convert his gas forge into
a veggie oil burning forge.
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